but today on the brink of the fiscal cliff, a glimmer of -- well, something. >> i'm optimistic we may still be able to reach an agreement that can pass both houses in time. >> but don't hold your breath. there is deep skepticism in washington that the leadership of our country will get its act together on time. so let's say we all go over the cliff. what does it mean for you? how big a deal is this for ordinary taxpayers? >> well, it's a big deal in that it would be kind of a sudden shock if you had a lighter take-home pay starting at the begin of 2013. >> first, payroll taxes. the taxes that fund social security, they'll go up on everyone. from 4.2% to 6.2% as the recession-related payroll tax holiday expires. then, income taxes will go up across the board, every tax bracket. we're talking g about real mone for every household. for instance, a single parent with two kids making $37,000 a year, she'll get walloped with a $2800 plus tax increase. a married couple with a kid in college making about $137,000, that's $8,000 more in taxes on that family. and if you're really rich, say lebr